Compassionate Legal Guidance for Choosing Your Power of Attorney

Did you know that when you reach adulthood, no one can handle your business for you – whether medical or financial – without your specific consent? While it is never fun to think about a time when you may be unable to make decisions for yourself, having the proper Power of Attorney in place will give you peace of mind. It will make things easier for others to assist you if you can not help yourself.

If do not have a Power of Attorney in place and are unable to make decisions for yourself due to illness or disability, someone may need to petition the court to become your legal guardian or conservator. This process can be time-consuming, expensive, and may not result in the appointment of someone you would have chosen yourself. It can even lead to disputes among family members. Having a Power of Attorney allows you to appoint someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf if you’re unable to do so yourself, providing peace of mind and ensuring that your wishes are carried out without the need for court intervention.

I am attorney Angela Davis-Morris. At my office, Davis-Morris Law Firm in Hattiesburg, I personally assist clients of all ages, to individually create Wills, Trusts, Powers of Attorney, Health Care Directives and other estate plan elements that represent and resolve their individual concerns and needs to help protect them, their future and their families.

The Benefits Of Having A Health Care Directive

You never know what may happen in the future. From illnesses to sudden accidents, it is vital that you establish a health care directive to clarify your wishes on medical interventions and your overall care. A health care directive also allows you to appoint someone to make medical decisions on your behalf if you lose the ability to make and communicate your own decisions.

In Mississippi, anyone over the age of 18 can choose who can make medical decisions on their behalf when they cannot do so for themselves. Aside from choosing someone to make decisions for you, a health care directive allows you to express your wishes in end-of-life situations if you are incapacitated. It allows you to let your loved ones know what you would like to happen and addresses whether or not you would like life-prolonging medical care, for example:

• Whether you would like to be resuscitated using cardiac pulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
• Whether you want your doctors to stop life support in certain instances
• Whether you would like to receive life support via machines or other treatment
• Specific choices on comfort medications

Having your wishes clearly written out can take the burden off of your family and loved ones and provide your medical providers more information about what treatments you would want. If you cannot communicate your own medical decisions, you need to trust that your doctors will honor your wishes.

At Davis-Morris Law Firm, I assist individuals of all ages in setting up a Health Care Directive to help protect their rights and wishes in the future. Having a Health Care Directive keeps you in control and gives you and your loved ones peace of mind.

Your Last Will And Testament Is Important To Your Estate Plan

Your Last Will and Testament is just one part of a comprehensive estate plan. If you die without a Will, laws of the State will determine how, when and to whom your assets will be distributed. The State may not pass your assets to the people you care about or in the way you would prefer.

Assets will pass through your Will to your loved ones if the Will is properly written and executed. In your Will, you can name someone to manage your estate after your death. You can make specific bequests and name guardians to care for minor children. You can also establish provisions for disabled beneficiaries.

A Last Will and Testament serves many purposes as part of a complete estate plan. It does not, however, avoid probate and generally requires a court to resolve your affairs. It also does not take effect until after death so it does not help manage your affairs if you become incapacitated, whether by illness or injury. If any of these concerns are important to you, contact us today to find out how you can create a personalized and complete estate plan that addresses what is important to you.

Don’t Wait To Get Started On Securing Your Future

At Davis-Morris Law Firm, you can trust me and my team to provide you with the support you need throughout the entire estate planning process. I am here to answer your questions and address your concerns so that you can feel confident in your decisions.

To schedule a consultation, call my office at 601-602-8874 or complete our online contact form to get in touch. From my office in Hattiesburg, I can assist clients throughout South-Central Mississippi.